New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI) The Delhi government on Tuesday allocated Rs 12,893 crore for the health sector in the 2025-26 budget to support flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, set up two new medical colleges, and add 16,186 beds in government hospitals.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the 2025-26 budget in the Assembly, announcing a significant push to strengthen the capital’s healthcare infrastructure.

A major portion of the budget will support flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), aimed at providing financial protection and affordable healthcare to more families in the capital.

In her budget speech, Gupta said the government is committed to transforming Delhi’s healthcare system by strengthening critical care services, expanding primary healthcare facilities, and modernizing medical infrastructure.

“Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind when it comes to quality healthcare,” she added.

The budget earmarks Rs 1,666.66 crore under the Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to boost critical care blocks and diagnostics, alongside Rs 320 crore for setting up 400 Health and Wellness Centres (HWC), also known as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM).

Additionally, Rs 9.92 crore has been allocated for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aiming to digitize patient records and improve accessibility to healthcare services.

With a total outlay of Rs 12,893 crore for the health sector — including Rs 3,421 crore for capital projects — Gupta said the government is determined to make Delhi a hub of quality healthcare and medical education.

The government has also allocated Rs 147.64 crore to expand financial protection under the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), ensuring more families benefit from free, cashless treatment for serious illnesses.

“We are determined to transform Delhi’s healthcare system with sustainable reforms, modern infrastructure, and digital innovation. Every citizen — rich or poor, young or old — deserves access to affordable, high-quality healthcare,” Gupta said.

She also announced that two new medical colleges will be established in Delhi to improve healthcare services and boost medical education.

“This will provide high-quality medical education to Delhi’s youth and create new employment opportunities in the healthcare sector,” she said, adding that the previous AAP government “never took strong steps” in the health sector.

“It is our aim to make Delhi a hub of health and education, and this initiative will give our youth an opportunity to excel in the medical field,” Gupta added.

Highlighting the current shortfall in hospital beds, Gupta cited World Health Organization (WHO) norms, which recommend 5 beds per 1,000 people.

“At present, Delhi has only 2.7 beds per 1,000 people--far below the required standard. This is why patients face long queues for OPD services, medicine, and diagnostic tests. The shortage of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, combined with limited radiology facilities like CT scans, MRIs, and PET-CTs, further strains the system,” she said.

To address this, the government plans to complete 24 pending hospital projects, including 7 ICU hospitals, 4 new hospitals, and the expansion of 13 existing facilities. Once completed, these projects are expected to add 16,186 new beds to Delhi’s public healthcare system.

Promoting holistic healthcare, Gupta announced the establishment of the Delhi State AYUSH Society (DSAS) to encourage alternative medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

The total budget outlay for the health sector stands at Rs 10,295 crore, including Rs 3,421 crore for capital projects and Rs 6,874 crore for various health schemes, programs, and infrastructure development.

“Our goal is to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to every citizen of Delhi — whether rich or poor, young or old,” Gupta said, emphasising that sustainable reforms and modern infrastructure will pave the way for a healthier, more resilient capital.

Presenting the Rs One lakh crore budget — a 31.5 per cent increase from the previous year — Gupta said the government is committed to ensuring quality healthcare for all.

Criticising the previous administration’s performance, she claimed it “failed to provide basic healthcare facilities.” The last government started 24 projects that ended up being of no use. Our goal is to make Delhi’s health system stronger and more accessible to all, she said.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to fast-track the construction of 10 to 13 new hospitals, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated specifically for the initiative.

“We are determined to build a robust, modern healthcare system for Delhi — one that serves everyone efficiently,” Gupta added.

This is the first budget presented by a BJP-led government in Delhi in over 26 years, following the party’s victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in last month’s Assembly elections. PTI NSM MR